WHY we have the chance to run, walk or move on Sunday is far more important than the cause. This is ultimately about personal achievement for the greater good. The Ballarat Foundation is putting the final touches on its inaugural Run for a Cause. There will likely be teething issues – all new major events must work through hiccups – but the Foundation must be applauded for stepping up to take on the challenge with less than four months to put this event together. We need this. Running, walking or moving together gives us a sense of purpose as a community and as individuals to hit the streets when it makes us uncomfortable or, for seasoned runners and walkers, the chance to give back doing what we love doing best. Mass participation events like Run for a Cause or the well-established Ballarat Cycle Classic allow everyday people of all abilities and levels of enthusiasm to get on course with top athletes as equals. Ballarat Cycle Classic even offers those in the road ride to tackle the notorious Mount Buninyong climb, the centrepiece of road nationals, in safe conditions. There will be plenty of participants in Run for a Cause vying to try completing a new, longer distance for the first time, or first in a long time, and there will be those seeking a personal best on what is touted a fast, flat course. There will be those taking up the challenge to get up early on a Sunday morning and have the family ready to walk as one. Everyone gets the same medal. Ballarat has had plenty of fun run run-out in the past. What made the now-defunct Run Ballarat so effective was the way it united a whole community and motivated all to move together for a new children’s ward at Ballarat Health Services’ Base Hospital. Thousands stepped out each Run to raised more than $1 million in six year’s combined and delivered on what Run Ballarat’s parent company CottonOn set out to achieve. Run for a Cause’s food insecurity focus is not as tangible a target as a new children’s ward in making a difference. Hunger is a largely hidden issue: this can be skipping meals to pay bills or ensure children do not go wihout; this can be lack of access to cooking facilities or fresh produce. One in eight Ballarat people access food relief services each year. A portion of what we move towards on Sunday is for frontline charities but a portion also contributes to establishing a food distribution hub in Ballarat’s west to efficiently collect, store and distribute to charities. A food hub, in partnership with Foodbank Victoria, is a luxury Ballarat does not have but one that will make an immense difference to hunger busting across our region. When federal funding was slashed from Foodbank earlier this week, before a back-flip from the Prime Minister the next day, there was immense public outcry for what was at stake.This reinforces just how important it is to highlight hunger in our communities. So we run, walk and move to combat hunger on Sunday but it is equally important to celebrate what we can do individually and collectively when we move together. Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.

We need this chance to Run for a Cause and show what Ballarat can do | From the Press Box with Melanie Whelan

UNITED: Elite athletes, school, businesses and people just wanting to step out and make a difference will step out both for their own goals and a shared vision - and anyone can help make a difference.

WHY we have the chance to run, walk or move on Sunday is far more important than the cause.

This is ultimately about personal achievement for the greater good.

The Ballarat Foundation is putting the final touches on its inaugural Run for a Cause. There will likely be teething issues – all new major events must work through hiccups – but the Foundation must be applauded for stepping up to take on the challenge with less than four months to put this event together.

We need this.

Running, walking or moving together gives us a sense of purpose as a community and as individuals to hit the streets when it makes us uncomfortable or, for seasoned runners and walkers, the chance to give back doing what we love doing best.

Mass participation events like Run for a Cause or the well-established Ballarat Cycle Classic allow everyday people of all abilities and levels of enthusiasm to get on course with top athletes as equals. Ballarat Cycle Classic even offers those in the road ride to tackle the notorious Mount Buninyong climb, the centrepiece of road nationals, in safe conditions.

There will be plenty of participants in Run for a Cause vying to try completing a new, longer distance for the first time, or first in a long time, and there will be those seeking a personal best on what is touted a fast, flat course. There will be those taking up the challenge to get up early on a Sunday morning and have the family ready to walk as one.

Everyone gets the same medal.

Ballarat has had plenty of fun run run-out in the past. What made the now-defunct Run Ballarat so effective was the way it united a whole community and motivated all to move together for a new children’s ward at Ballarat Health Services’ Base Hospital.

Thousands stepped out each Run to raised more than $1 million in six year’s combined and delivered on what Run Ballarat’s parent company CottonOn set out to achieve.

EXCITED: Summer, Misha and Kiana are fired up for a new look Run to unite this city behind to help thecommunity's most needy on Sunday. Picture: Kate Healy

Run for a Cause’s food insecurity focus is not as tangible a target as a new children’s ward in making a difference. Hunger is a largely hidden issue: this can be skipping meals to pay bills or ensure children do not go wihout; this can be lack of access to cooking facilities or fresh produce. One in eight Ballarat people access food relief services each year.

A portion of what we move towards on Sunday is for frontline charities but a portion also contributes to establishing a food distribution hub in Ballarat’s west to efficiently collect, store and distribute to charities.

A food hub, in partnership with Foodbank Victoria, is a luxury Ballarat does not have but one that will make an immense difference to hunger busting across our region.

When federal funding was slashed from Foodbank earlier this week, before a back-flip from the Prime Minister the next day, there was immense public outcry for what was at stake.This reinforces just how important it is to highlight hunger in our communities.